Geek+ has announced the successful deployment and of 100 autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in the distribution centre of Circle K Hong Kong. The deployment represents the commitment of the global AMR leader and Circle K Hong Kong to build supply chain resilience using technology and supporting customers with a wide selection of products and excellent services.
The of 140,000 sq ft distribution center handles the deliveries of more than 300 Circle K convenience stores in Hong Kong, serving over 600,000 customers daily. With large volumes bound for different destinations and a wide selection of products ranging from small everyday items to food and cold goods, Circle K Hong Kong wanted to automate its warehouse and streamline large-scale logistics processes.
In January 2021, the company decided to transform its operations with deployment of 100 Geek+ AMRs and ensure the effective daily handling of over 10,00,000 products.
With ever-changing markets and difficulties predicting future demand, flexibility through digitalisation and real-time visibility is the key to building an agile supply chain. Moving forward, Geek+ and Circle K Hong Kong will work closely to secure the smooth operations of the largest automated warehouse within Asia’s grocery industry and ensure the timely and accurate allocation of millions of quality products to Circle K’s wide network of convenience stores.
Bruce Ma, Senior Supply Chain Manager of Circle K Hong Kong says, “With substantial challenges facing our team, we aim to improve customers’ and employees’ experiences by reinventing our supply chain using automation technologies.”
Lit Fung, VP, and Managing Director of Geek+ APAC, UK and Americas said, “We are excited to see our system support Circle K with the accuracy, efficiency, and flexibility needed to serve its wide network of convenience stores. Our AI-driven robotics system enables digitalisation for streamlining warehouse operations, which helps our customers improve competitiveness in an ever-changing environment.”
Driven by intelligent software and QR-code technology, the network of Geek+ robots flexibly move racks of ordered goods from a designated area for inventory to employees positioned at workstations, where they finalise the picking process guided by the user-friendly interface. It improves the overall picking accuracy and efficiency. The flexibility of movable robot-compatible racking, combined with the ability to choose the optimal route and organise inventory densely according to real-time demand, improves space utilisation and offers more flexible supply chain operations. Additionally, Geek+ AMRs can operate 24x7 to better support periods of high throughput demand.
The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) held its 6th EC Meeting for the term 2021-23 on May 27 and 28 in Bengaluru. The meeting was attended by the Office Bearers and 28 Member Association representative of FFFAI from across the country, there were many issues discussed and updates provided concerning customs, CBLR, EDI, Service Tax/GST, logistics, air cargo, sea cargo, skill development,importance of social media which FFFAI has expanded recently, technology developments, etc. The special focus of the 6th EC meeting was the updates on forthcoming 24th Biennial Convention of FFFAI to be held from August 12 to 14, 2022 in Chennai with the theme LOGISTICS RESHAPE, EMBRACE AND SURGE IN THE DIGITAL ERA. At this EC meeting, FFFAI also implemented Digital Learning platform for members and next generation for e-learning. It has been decided that FFFAI would initiate FIATA eFBL here in India to benefit the trade, which empowers customs brokers, freight forwarders and logistics service providers. In addition, updates on the recently held FIATA HQ Meet was also provided by the concerned members of FFFAI. FFFAI members present at this EC meeting stressed upon enhancing productivity on ICEGATE for trade facilitation and Ease of Doing Business. The FFFAI members also urged for creating a dedicated portal for LSP integration. As regard to skill development initiatives, IIFF’s (training arm of FFFAI) past and forthcoming training programmes (both online and classroom/physical) for the entire logistics industry were presented at the EC meeting. In addition, FFFAI’s various initiatives on capacity building through technology/IT also discussed withadequate importance. Recent activities of FFFAI Women’s Wing including organising interactive meetings with Government of India officials and industry experts were highlighted at this meeting which drew huge appreciation from the members. The members committed to expand the activities of the Women’s Wing in all the 28 member association locations to empower/encourage the women logistics practitioners. At this EC meeting FFFAI has signed an MoU with the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) with an objective of skilling the aspiring candidates looking for opportunities in the logistics sector. Notably, a special session was organised at this 6th EC Meeting where N Sivasailam, former Special Secretary (Logistics), Ministry of Commerce, Government of India was present to address the FFFAI members and highlight the recent initiatives of the government in strengthening the logistics infrastructure, thereby leading in increase of international trade through multimodal connectivity and faster cargo clearance. He projected the ambitious growth potential of the logistics industry in India with a strong collaboration between government and industry people. Also speaking on the occasion was Bani Bhattacharya, IRS, who interacted with members of FFFAI on various initiatives of CBIC for the trade facilitation without human intervention. FFFAI Chairman Shankar Shinde thanked all the 28 associations for their support and appreciated the contribution of CBIC/DG systems trade facilitation measures. FFFAI Member Associations are: 1. Ahmedabad Custom Brokers' Association2. Aurangabad Customs House Agents Association3. Association of Custom House Agents Thiruvanthapuram4. Bangalore Custom House Agents Association5. Brihnamumbai Custom Brokers Association6. Calcutta Customs House Agents Association7. Chennai Customs House Agents Association8. Cochin Customs Brokers' Association9. Coimbatore Customs House and Steamer Agents Association10. Custom Brokers Association Hyderabad11. Delhi Customs Brokers Association12. Goa Custom Brokers Association13.Indore Customs House Agents Association14. The Kakinada Customs Brokers Association15. Kandla Custom Brokers Association16. Kanpur Customs Brokers Association17. Ludhiana Customs House Agents Association18. Mangalore Customs House Agents Association19. Mundra Customs Brokers Association20. Nagpur Customs House Agents Association21. Nashik Customs House Agents Association22. Nadia Custom Brokers Association23. Pipavav Custom Brokers Association24. Pune Customs House Agents Association25. Rajasthan Customs House Agents Association26.Tuticorin Custom Brokers Association27.Visakhapatnam Cusotms Brokers' Association28.West Bengal Custom House Agents Society FFFAI welcomes Women in Logistics/Youth in Logistics to participate on FFFAI forums and also invites membership application form logistics service providers in industry as this is a big national and international forum to network.
Ecom Express Limited, India’s sole pure-play B2C e-commerce logistics provider as of the Financial Year 2024, has introduced a new brand identity, underscoring its commitment to customer-centricity. This rebranding reflects a focus on addressing specific customer needs, prioritising customer-facing metrics, and integrating innovative technology across its nationwide express logistics network. The goal is to enhance speed, agility, and network reach, ensuring a customer-focused approach. The rebranding includes a dynamic logo and a refreshed visual identity, symbolising Ecom Express’s pursuit of excellence. The new logo features a forward-moving arrow within a square, representing the company’s dedication to delivery. The letter "E" in the logo stands for Expression, Innovation, and Progress, while the bold magenta colour signifies bravery, self-expression, and strength. This vibrant magenta reintroduction reflects Ecom Express's renewed commitment to customers, partners, and team members, as the company aims to simplify and democratise logistics for all. Ajay Chitkara, CEO and MD of Ecom Express, elaborated on the transformation, stating, “Our refreshed brand identity reaffirms our customer-first approach as we continue to integrate technology and innovation to provide reliable, high-speed services with the widest network reach. This transformation also underscores our commitment to our employees and delivery partners, who are essential to our business.” The new logo embodies Ecom Express’s dedication to its core values, focusing on customer welfare and fostering a diverse, inclusive environment. This rebranding signifies a promise to redefine logistics through advanced technology, making life easier for all types of customers.
Delmos Aviation has transported the second lot of 300 units of oxygen concentrators from Russia to New Delhi for the Rajasthan state government. The consignment was airborne on an Aeroflot A333 aircraft (SU 232) and reached at 10:10 AM in New Delhi. The shipments were shipped by road and sent back to Swasthya Bhawan, Jaipur, Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation (RMSCL). RMSCL obtained oxygen concentrators from Russian companies together with Delmos Aviation. Delmos Aviation is procuring, transporting and supplying COVID-relied materials to the Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation with the mandate signed with the Rajasthan Government. There will shortly be two consignments with the remaining 800 oxygen concentrators. "We are ready to assist governments in the provision and delivery of any type of essential medical supplies, oxygen concentration and equipment as quickly as possible," said Dr Naveen Rao, Director, Delmos Aviation. "At this juncture, time-based deliveries are paramount. We can handle the airlift and deliver the shipment to the last point." In four lots, 100, 300, 450 and 400 units, a total of 1250 oxygen concentrations are ordered and continue to reach New Delhi in batches of shipments. On 14 and 16 May 2021, the remaining lots will arrive. Oxygen concentrators of Single flowmeter (0.5-10LPM Adjustable) and double flowmeter (0-5LPM Adjustable) are included in the delivery. The models are JAY-10A & LFY-I-5A. "The government of Rajasthan is working hard in this raging second wave of the pandemic to provide basic medical equipment to head Minister Ashok Gehlot and Minister of Health, Raghu Sharma. The government plans to import 1250 oxygen concentrators from Moscow, Russia, in partnership with Delmos Aviation, as part of its efforts to enhance medical oxygen in the state," said a spokesperson.
Omnichannel lifestyle brand The Souled Store has partnered with third-party logistics firm Emiza to manage its primary warehouse operations in Mumbai. The collaboration positions Emiza’s Mumbai warehouse as a central hub, managing orders from The Souled Store’s website, marketplaces, and offline stores across India. “This partnership marks a significant milestone in The Souled Store’s journey, enabling the brand to streamline operations and refocus on growth by partnering with Emiza as a trusted 3PL provider,” the company said. The strategic collaboration goes beyond standard logistics, providing services such as inventory management and order processing. The Souled Store has reduced its order processing time from 24 hours to just 12 hours, significantly enhancing customer satisfaction, a key factor in the competitive D2C market. Ajay Rao, Founder of Emiza, highlighted the value of the partnership, stating, “Their trust in our services underscores the value we bring, not just in warehousing and fulfilment, but in enhancing overall customer satisfaction. As India’s fashion e-commerce market is projected to reach USD 112 billion by 2030, our role is to provide the infrastructure and fulfilment expertise necessary for brands to thrive.” Aditya Sharma, Co-founder of The Souled Store, noted the impact of the partnership: “Emiza stepped in, providing exceptional warehousing and fulfilment services aligned with our commitment to delivering quality products. Their focus on optimising our fulfilment process has allowed us to cut order processing time by half, ensuring that our customers receive their orders faster.” With 27 fulfilment centres across 14 cities, Emiza is well-positioned to support The Souled Store’s expansion beyond metro cities, tapping into the growing consumer base in Bharat, the company added.
A significant milestone has been achieved in the Indo-Bangla railway project with the inauguration of the inaugural freight train connecting Bangladesh's Gangasagar to Tripura's Nischintanpur. This momentous event marks a significant step forward in strengthening the rail connectivity between the two neighboring countries. The new railway connection is set to enhance trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh, providing a more efficient and cost-effective mode of transportation for goods. It will not only boost bilateral trade but also promote economic development in the region by opening up new opportunities for businesses and industries. The Indo-Bangla railway project is part of a broader effort to improve connectivity and foster closer ties between the two nations. It is expected to play a vital role in facilitating the movement of goods and passengers, ultimately contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of both countries.
Accio Robotics, a leader in warehouse fulfilment solutions, has partnered with US-based SCM Champs, specialists in SAP and supply chain consulting, to transform warehouse management through advanced robotics and seamless SAP integration. This strategic collaboration aims to optimise efficiency and productivity in warehouse operations globally. The partnership centres around Accio's AccioOS operating system, designed to integrate with mobile robots (AMRs), Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), and SAP warehouse management systems. By enabling real-time communication between these systems, the collaboration enhances order fulfilment, robot deployment, and picking efficiency, offering businesses an automated and streamlined warehouse solution. Pranav Srinivasan, Co-founder of Accio Robotics, expressed confidence in the partnership, saying, “The integration of AccioOS with SAP warehouse systems positions us as a global leader in warehouse automation.” SCM Champs' CEO, Prabhjot Singh, added, "Our expertise in SAP supply chain execution, coupled with Accio's robotics solutions, provides an unmatched level of automation and efficiency for clients." This partnership underscores the shared vision of Accio Robotics and SCM Champs to push the boundaries of warehouse automation and reshape supply chain management on a global scale.
Bar Code India (BCI) recently announced the launch of ‘Dristi,’ an innovative IoT-based RFID reader set to revolutionise the supply chain industry. Designed with best-in-class performance and advanced RFID capabilities, Dristi is engineered for diverse applications across manufacturing, distribution, transportation, and retail sectors. Equipped with a powerful processor, expansive memory capacity, and options for 4G-LTE/Wi-Fi, Dristi’s state-of-the-art design boasts a superior IP rating, making it suitable for the most demanding environments. Its standout feature, the inbuilt ‘read-to-cloud’ capability, allows organisations to access real-time data, enhancing precision and efficiency in supply chain management. The robust diecast aluminium housing with weatherproof sealing ensures Dristi’s durability and high uptime, even in challenging indoor and outdoor environments, including extreme heat, subzero temperatures, and dusty or damp conditions. Ajay Bhutani, Co-founder and CEO of BCI, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “As its name suggests, Dristi represents a leap forward in asset tracking, process control, industrial automation, and inventory management, offering businesses unparalleled efficiency and accuracy. This ‘Made in India’ innovation provides real-time visibility, faster read rates, and precise data capture, setting new standards for excellence in supply chain management.” Vikas Wadhwa, Chief Operating Officer at BCI, added, “Dristi is a personal and professional dream come true, a product of years of dedicated effort. BCI has consistently led the way in delivering innovative solutions that empower businesses with complete asset visibility and intelligence in their supply chain operations. In an era where efficiency, accuracy, and real-time insights are paramount, Dristi is poised to change the game.”
Rezo.ai, one of the fastest evolving AI-powered startups, is enabling some of India’s largest logistics companies to create a smart workforce and reduce operational costs by 20-30% this festive season. For these companies, Rezo.ai has efficiently brought down customer query resolution time by 4X - resulting in repeat customer orders and retention along with significantly increasing agent efficiency. This ground-breaking solution assists businesses in identifying the causes of slow sales as well as elements that would help them accelerate sales by assisting them ineffective customer interactions. Investments in digital technologies such as AI for customer-facing business functions are on the rise in the logistics sector. Rezo.ai has been seeing immense traction and interest from domestic as well as global logistics companies. Rezo.ai enhances the customer experience (CX) with in-built Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and also analyzes customer–agent interactions whilst training the agents accordingly. Companies in Logistics and several other industries rely on contact centers for handling customer service requests, queries, and escalations. By partnering with Rezo.ai, clients could see drastic improvements in customer satisfaction. The solution can assist agents and can also run in a fully automated manner. The agents can handle 2.5x the volume and with an automated system, exponential volumes can be handled with ease. Speaking about the feat, Dr. Rashi Gupta, Chief Data Scientist & Co-founder, Rezo.ai said, “Rezo.ai adds a strategic value to the business when it comes to engaging with customers and creating a distinct experience for them. We leverage proprietary algorithms built using next-generation technology – AI, NLP, NLU to train models from unstructured voice and text data. These models once trained for an enterprise get deployed as virtual agents with the ability to talk and revert to customer queries just like the enterprise’s “best agent”. These models are designed to scale without a ramp-up period, provide a fast and consistent response to customer queries and save significantly on operational costs.”
